The next type of grassland is the Steppe Grassland. The location of these grasslands are depicted on the map in the color brown. These grasslands take up much less space than the Savannas, however they are still contain similar and diverse characteristics. A steppe grassland is a biome that is mostly flat and has practically no trees. There is usually no trees because the climate is so arid, it can not sustain trees.
Common Animals-
Since the steppe has such a dramatic climate, depending on the location, there is not a huge variety of animals. One of the most common herbivores in the steppe is the saiga antelope. The saiga antelope has an adaptation for the climate that lets their nasal graves filter particles in the air. Another common herbivore in the steppe is Przewalski's horse. Przewalski's horse was almost extinct because of poaching, but since then it has been successfully reintroduced in Mongolia.
Many other species common in steppes include but are not limited to-
The corsac fox, mongolian gerbil, steppe eagle, cinereous vulture, american and european bison, and the red tailed hawk.
Common Plants-
Even though the steppe has a dry climate, there are many plants that thrive in the biome. An example of a primary producer is the Fringed Sagebrush. This plant grows four to sixteen inches in height. The Fringed Sagebrush is loaded with protein so many consumers eat it. This plant has adapted to the steppe by growing big, deep roots to store water during droughts. Another primary producer is Buffalo Grass. Many animals such as Przewalski's horse mentioned above eat this grass.
A few out of the many plant species include-
Milk Vetch, Sweet Vernal, Rhubarb, Tumbleweed, Blue Grama, Basin big Sagebrush, and Speargrass
A few flowers in the steppe include-
Desert Paintbrush, Sand Penstemon, Bladderpod, Bluebell, Long Leaf Phlox, Desert Buckwheat, Thyme Desert Buckwheat, Mat Milkvetch, Goldenweed, Pucoon, and Desert Evening Primrose
Climate-
The climate of a steppe is affected by the mountain it's by. Steppes get their arid climate because are in the middle of continents and they are also on the leeward side of mountains. Because steppes are on the leeward side of mountains, the mountains block moist air so the steppe stays continuously dry. Factoring that in, this means that summer and winter weather is very different and dramatic. In the summer, temperatures can reach all the way up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit while in winter, temperatures can reach a frigid -40 degrees Fahrenheit. There are also no trees to block win so this makes steppes a very horrible place to live. Rain in steppes can go in cycles throughout years where there will be consistent good rains for ten years and then there will be a drought for ten years.
Effects from People-
Throughout years, humans have harmed steppes but also put them to use. People have destroyed steppes by overgrazing, plowing, and leaving behind excess salt. All of these things destroy the soil making it hard for plants to grow. People have also put steppes to good use by growing many crops such as wheat. Livestock is also raised throughout the land by farmers. People also drill deep wells in and around these areas.
Miscellaneous Facts-
Since the climate makes it so that large cities and industries can't develop there, people had to be nomadic and keep on moving throughout the land. This was mainly because people had to continuously search for a water supply.
The next type of grassland is the Steppe Grassland. The location of these grasslands are depicted on the map in the color brown. These grasslands take up much less space than the Savannas, however they are still contain similar and diverse characteristics. A steppe grassland is a biome that is mostly flat and has practically no trees. There is usually no trees because the climate is so arid, it can not sustain trees.
Common Animals-
Since the steppe has such a dramatic climate, depending on the location, there is not a huge variety of animals. One of the most common herbivores in the steppe is the saiga antelope. The saiga antelope has an adaptation for the climate that lets their nasal graves filter particles in the air. Another common herbivore in the steppe is Przewalski's horse. Przewalski's horse was almost extinct because of poaching, but since then it has been successfully reintroduced in Mongolia.Many other species common in steppes include but are not limited to-
The corsac fox, mongolian gerbil, steppe eagle, cinereous vulture, american and european bison, and the red tailed hawk.
Common Plants-
Even though the steppe has a dry climate, there are many plants that thrive in the biome. An example of a primary producer is the Fringed Sagebrush. This plant grows four to sixteen inches in height. The Fringed Sagebrush is loaded with protein so many consumers eat it. This plant has adapted to the steppe by growing big, deep roots to store water during droughts. Another primary producer is Buffalo Grass. Many animals such as Przewalski's horse mentioned above eat this grass.A few out of the many plant species include-
Milk Vetch, Sweet Vernal, Rhubarb, Tumbleweed, Blue Grama, Basin big Sagebrush, and Speargrass
A few flowers in the steppe include-
Desert Paintbrush, Sand Penstemon, Bladderpod, Bluebell, Long Leaf Phlox, Desert Buckwheat, Thyme Desert Buckwheat, Mat Milkvetch, Goldenweed, Pucoon, and Desert Evening Primrose
Climate-
The climate of a steppe is affected by the mountain it's by. Steppes get their arid climate because are in the middle of continents and they are also on the leeward side of mountains. Because steppes are on the leeward side of mountains, the mountains block moist air so the steppe stays continuously dry. Factoring that in, this means that summer and winter weather is very different and dramatic. In the summer, temperatures can reach all the way up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit while in winter, temperatures can reach a frigid -40 degrees Fahrenheit. There are also no trees to block win so this makes steppes a very horrible place to live. Rain in steppes can go in cycles throughout years where there will be consistent good rains for ten years and then there will be a drought for ten years.Effects from People-
Throughout years, humans have harmed steppes but also put them to use. People have destroyed steppes by overgrazing, plowing, and leaving behind excess salt. All of these things destroy the soil making it hard for plants to grow. People have also put steppes to good use by growing many crops such as wheat. Livestock is also raised throughout the land by farmers. People also drill deep wells in and around these areas.Miscellaneous Facts-
Since the climate makes it so that large cities and industries can't develop there, people had to be nomadic and keep on moving throughout the land. This was mainly because people had to continuously search for a water supply.